Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine By Stephanie Torlone, DVM, CVA T
raditional Chinese Veterinary Medi- cine, or TVCM, includes acupuncture, food therapy, herbal medicine, and
Tui-na (a form of therapeutic massage). It is an ancient and complex system of medi- cine, which has been in continuous use for thousands of years. The basic concepts of TCVM are:
• Yin-yang theory—the concept of two op- posing, yet complementary, forces that must be in balance in the body
• In the TCVM view, a vital energy or life force called Qi (also spelled “Chi”) circulates in the body through a system of pathways called meridians. Health is an ongoing pro- cess of maintaining balance and harmony in the circulation of Qi.
• The TCVM approach uses eight principles to analyze symptoms and categorize condi- tions: cold/heat, interior/exterior, excess/ deficiency, and yin/yang.
• TCVM also uses the theory of five ele- ments—fire, earth, metal, water, and wood— to explain how the body works; these ele- ments correspond to particular organs and tissues in the body.
TCM diagnosis and treatment should be performed only by a licensed practitio- ner who has had advanced training. The patient is given a physical examination, and a detailed history is taken to determine the nature of the patient’s constitution, and the forces at work causing disease.
Acupuncture According to TCM, energy called Qi
travels through the body on pathways called meridians. Acupuncture points are small areas on these pathways which have high numbers of nerve endings, lymphatics, inflammatory cells and small blood vessels. Treatment of these areas can be done by insertion of fine needles, finger pressure, application of heat or therapeutic laser, electro-stimulation or injection of sterile
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saline. Treatment causes release of endor- phins and other neurotransmitters, leading to pain relief, increased circulation and other beneficial effects.
A typical acupuncture session lasts from 20-60 minutes. Some patients may show improvement after one session, but chronic problems often require several treatments. Most animals are comfortable and relaxed during treatment; some will become drowsy or fall asleep. Sedation is not recommended, as it may interfere with the beneficial physi- ologic effects of treatment.
Chinese herbal medicine
Chinese herbals generally consist of formulas containing from four to twelve herbs. Pills, powders and tinctures are the most common forms used to treat animal patients. Herbals may be used in addition to acupuncture in order to support and prolong the therapeutic effect, or they may be used by themselves to treat the disease pattern diagnosed by the practitioner. Problems that
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